Last year, when Balmoral raced late afternoons and evenings for 60 days, the averages were 2,133 and $240,354.

Originally, post time was 8 p.m. (Wednesday through Sunday) but midway through the meeting Groth changed the Sunday starting time to 4 p.m., and that day`s attendance and handle went up.

``I made an error,`` said Groth. ``But we`ve found what works best. Our per-capita dropped, which means we`re attracting new people.``

A Sunday crowd of 4,048 that wagered $467,533 watched the nation`s leading rider, Randy Romero, guide Gibakook to a five-length victory in the $18,250 Whirlaway Stakes for 2-year-olds. It was Romero`s second feature race victory at Balmoral in less than 24 hours. His Saturday night mount, Exit Five, won the $22,300 Balmoral Handicap by six lengths.